A new study from The Vision Counsel suggests that the increase of Americans using multiple digital devices a day is causing an increase in patients with eye strain.

According to the 2016 report, Eyes Overexposed: The Digital Device Dilemma, out of 10,000 Americans surveyed, 65 percent reported having symptoms of digital eye strain, which include " dry, irritated eyes, blurred vision, eye fatigue, neck and back pain and headaches.”

"Digital eye strain,” The Vision Counsel says, "is the physical discomfort felt after two or more hours in front of a digital screen and is associated with the close to mid-range distance of digital screens, including desktop and laptop computers, tablets, e-readers and smartphones.”

The majority of Americans surveyed who suffer from eye strain, or 8 in 10, use two devices at once. Using two tech devices at once is a relatively simple task to complete when thinking of the abundance of technology the average American owns and relies on.

This study is especially relevant to schools and classrooms, where edtech is increasingly becoming relied upon to supplement learning, including one-to-one laptop initiatives and a significant amount of standardized testing happening online.

Though digital eye strain has not yet been determined to cause long term damage, the nuisance of the symptoms in the short term could very well cause problems focusing and staying on track.

To minimize symptoms, experts recommend taking a twenty second break from devices every twenty minutes and looking at something far away to help eyes refresh themselves.

The Vision Counsel specifically recommends those who report symptoms to consider solutions invented by the optical industry, such as "computer eyewear [that] can be used to reduce blurriness and pixilation, decrease brightness, block blue light, and minimize glare while working in front of a screen—or multiple screens.”

Read the full report and answer our poll below to sound off on your opinion on whether the risk of digital eye strain in students should result in less classroom technology.

Article by Nicole Gorman, Education World Contributor

1/11/2016